The Tennessee Titans shockingly failed to address the wide receiver position in the 2023 NFL draft, and as a result there wasn’t much of a change in the wide receiver depth chart.
Yes, they drafted UT-Martin wideout Colton Dowell in the seventh round and reportedly added some undrafted free-agent wide receivers, but none of those moves qualify as adequately addressing the position.
However, landing in Tennessee was the best-possible scenario for all of those prospects, as they stand to have a better chance at making the cut with this team than they would with any other in the NFL.
All that said, here’s a look at where things stand currently with the group, and at the end of the list we’ll provide some analysis for it.
WR1: Treylon Burks
WR2: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
WR3: Kyle Philips
WR4: Chris Moore
WR5: Racey McMath
Reggie Roberson Jr. (futures signing)
Mason Kinsey (futures signing)
Colton Dowell (seventh-round pick)
Tre'Shaun Harrison (reported UDFA signing)
Kearis Jackson (reported UDFA signing)
Jacob Copeland (reported UDFA signing)
Analysis of the current group
When the Titans re-signed NWI, there was a fear he’d be cast as one of the top-three guys in this offense, to which I admittedly scoffed at. However, I may have been wrong, as it’s impossible not to list him there for the moment.
As things stand now, Burks and NWI are set to be the primary wideouts on the outside, with Kyle Philips manning the slot. Chris Moore will have a role as the No. 4 receiver at least but could move up in this group, and Racey McMath is the deep threat who could also see a larger role.
Even if you’re somehow high on this group, McMath, Philips and Burks have all had injury issues, NWI has proven he isn’t suited for such a role, and Moore isn’t going to move the needle all that much, if at all.
The players listed behind those five all have a shot to make the roster, with the edge going to guys like Kinsey and Roberson, simply because of their experience with the offense.
Sadly, none of those players figure to provide the boost this unit needs.
Where the Titans go from here
There are no two ways about it: the Titans’ wide receiver corps. does not inspire confidence that things will improve at the position in 2023, which is why Tennessee is and should be looking at every option moving forward.
The options in free agency are about as lackluster as you’d expect at his late stage, which means the Titans are counting on castoffs from other teams to add an impact player, whether they become available after being cut or via trade.
While the Titans could theoretically find a decent or better player that way, it’s a roll of the dice and chances are they won’t be able to bring in the caliber of wide receiver this team truly needs.
If things stay the same or similar to how they are now, the Titans are going to need to lean heavily on second-year guys like Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo to be major difference-makers in the passing game, something both are capable of being.
Unfortunately, that leaves very little room for error and the Titans will be one injury away to either from being in an even more disastrous position than they were in 2022.
